Review of Los Pinos Sparkling Rosé 2013

We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.

Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards is an east Texas gem, nestled in the Piney Woods Wine Trail since it’s opening in 2001. For the full story on Los Pinos, read Jeff Cope’s story about his most recent trip to the winery. You can show up for a tasting, a winery tour, or pack an overnight bag, and stay on site at one of their cozy cottages. East Texas wine making is often overlooked in our small industry because the Texas Hill Country and Texas High Plains get all the attention, but east of the I-35 corridor, there are some really fantastic things happening in the winemaking world. Los Pinos is one of them.

Why choose to drink and review a Sparkling Rosé in the middle of winter you ask? Well, a few purists might say it is only appropriate to drink them during the warmer months of the year, but those who truly understand these wines, know they can be enjoyed year round. Truly good dry Rosé whether sparkling or not should be two things in my opinion… inexpensive and crisp/minerally. These are what make Rosé wines so enjoyable year round either on their own or with a broad spectrum of foods.

I grasped the pressurized bottle with a firm grip and began to slowly twist from the base while maintaining my ninja death grip on the cork with my thumb. The bottle hissed at me as the cork was removed from its tomb. In the glass, this wine shows a beautiful light red color with a garnet hue and a clear rim. The nose is tantalizing with hints of yeast, fresh dough, and nuances of cranberries. The palate is a swath of grapefruit, cranberry, strawberry, dough, and some mineral components. The finish tapers off to a soft trickle down the throat.

Specifications:

• Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards Sparkling Rosé, 2013- Brut
• Appellation: Texas High Plains AVA, Diamante Doble Vineyards
• Grape varieties: Zinfandel and Dolcetto
• Clarity/Brightness: Clear/bright with no detectable flaws
• Tannins: Low
• Acidity: High
• Alcohol: Medium
• Finish: Medium
• Alcohol by volume: 12%

All in all I find this wine to be a solid representation of Texas Sparkling Dry Rosé. This wine offers extraordinary mouthfeel with a gentle and subtle nose and palate. I wouldn’t call it complex, but it is very pleasing to drink. Here is the best part—you can pair this with just about anything!

This wine stands alone nicely for an afternoon spent on the front porch sipping or celebrating, but it will pair very well with hamburgers, hot dogs, and BBQ ribs. That is what I love about sparkling wines. They love fatty/greasy foods just as much as we do! Enjoy this wine in a standard white wine glass. Please don’t strangle it in a Champagne flute.

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.